Ailanthus Altissima, also known as the Chinese Sumac, the Stinky Sumac, andailanthus. The Tree of Heaven is a deciduous tree that grows rapidly in central China. The older, more mature trees can grow to be 80 ft. or more in height. The tree of Heaven has pale gray bark, with soft stems, and light brown twigs. The leaves of this deciduous tree are compound with small leaflets that alternate on the stems. In the spring, small yellow-green flowers grow on the ends of branches. Tree of Heaven wood is light and creamy with a weak structure. The plant and the flower give off an odious smell similar to peanuts and cashews.
Detailed Description
The Tree of Heaven reproduces both sexually asexually. The produce seeds sexually, and vegetation sprouts asexually. In late spring the flowers are grown. The Tree of Heaven is deciduous and has male and female blossoming on the separate trees. The fruits are called Samaras and look papery, twisted, winged, and tan or pink in color. In September and October of the same year, samaras emerge in large clusters. They may even emerge in winter. The Tree of Heaven can produce around 325,000 seeds per year.
The Tree of Heaven is an invasive species because it produces seeds in rapid rates; which can take over the native vegetation of the area. Once the plant is recognized, it can grow a tightly packed grove around the site. They also release toxins that will inhibit and even stop other plants from developing in that area. The root system of the Tree of Heaven is destructive enough to cause damage on sewers and foundations.
Habitat and Distribution
The Tree of Heaven Is commonly found in the urban areas where it can sprout anywhere from alleys to streets. If not found in the urban cities, it can be found in fields, woodland edges, and forest openings. It is now seen nationally as a farming nuisance. They can appear in thickets and in seedlings after planting. It is dispersed all across America, in forty two states, all the way north in Maine to all the way south to Florida. It is even found West towards California.
Impacts
The Tree of Heaven negatively affects the enviroment and plants around it. They take over the area around them and produce toxins, so the plants around it do not have a chance to grow. They can over run any plants around them with there rapid seed producing. This plant can quickly take over the area around it with a thick fence or thicket.
History
The story begins with a gardener coming to Philadelphia, PA in 1784. In the 1840's they were introduced in nurseries. In California, they were introduced by the chinese during the goldrush in the 1800s. They are now found in the mining sites of California. The Tree of Heaven dates back as old as China's written language.
Control Measures
Becuase of the Ailanthus plant's rapid seed growth, it requires a great deal of diligence to remove. Monitoring and treatment should vital to the process. They should be checked more than once a year, and cut, sprayed, or pulled as soon as possible. Shade Tolerant trees will help with the hindering of growth in the Tree Of Heaven. You should try to get rid of the large female plants to reduce the spread. To destroy seeds, you can dig up or pull out any roots or seeds becuase if any are left, they will grow back. The most effective way of killing this plant, is to use herbicides. It ismore simple to kill the ground portion yet to really damage or kill the plant, you must get to the root and prevent growth there.
Work Cited:
Swearingen, Jil M, and Phil Pannill. "Tree of Heaven." Plant Conservation Alliance's alien plant working group. 27 June 2006. PCA. 12 Nov. 2008
<http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm>.
Ailanthus Altissima, also known as the Chinese Sumac, the Stinky Sumac, and ailanthus.
The Tree of Heaven is a deciduous tree that grows rapidly in central China. The older, more mature trees can grow to be 80 ft. or more in height. The tree of Heaven has pale gray bark, with soft stems, and light brown twigs. The leaves of this deciduous tree are compound with small leaflets that alternate on the stems. In the spring, small yellow-green flowers grow on the ends of branches. Tree of Heaven wood is light and creamy with a weak structure. The plant and the flower give off an odious smell similar to peanuts and cashews.
Detailed Description
The Tree of Heaven reproduces both sexually asexually. The produce seeds sexually, and vegetation sprouts asexually. In late spring the flowers are grown. The Tree of Heaven is deciduous and has male and female blossoming on the separate trees. The fruits are called Samaras and look papery, twisted, winged, and tan or pink in color. In September and October of the same year, samaras emerge in large clusters. They may even emerge in winter. The Tree of Heaven can produce around 325,000 seeds per year.
The Tree of Heaven is an invasive species because it produces seeds in rapid rates; which can take over the native vegetation of the area. Once the plant is recognized, it can grow a tightly packed grove around the site. They also release toxins that will inhibit and even stop other plants from developing in that area. The root system of the Tree of Heaven is destructive enough to cause damage on sewers and foundations.
Habitat and Distribution
The Tree of Heaven Is commonly found in the urban areas where it can sprout anywhere from alleys to streets. If not found in the urban cities, it can be found in fields, woodland edges, and forest openings. It is now seen nationally as a farming nuisance. They can appear in thickets and in seedlings after planting.
It is dispersed all across America, in forty two states, all the way north in Maine to all the way south to Florida. It is even found West towards California.
Impacts
The Tree of Heaven negatively affects the enviroment and plants around it. They take over the area around them and produce toxins, so the plants around it do not have a chance to grow. They can over run any plants around them with there rapid seed producing. This plant can quickly take over the area around it with a thick fence or thicket.
History
The story begins with a gardener coming to Philadelphia, PA in 1784. In the 1840's they were introduced in nurseries. In California, they were introduced by the chinese during the goldrush in the 1800s. They are now found in the mining sites of California. The Tree of Heaven dates back as old as China's written language.Control Measures
Becuase of the Ailanthus plant's rapid seed growth, it requires a great deal of diligence to remove. Monitoring and treatment should vital to the process. They should be checked more than once a year, and cut, sprayed, or pulled as soon as possible. Shade Tolerant trees will help with the hindering of growth in the Tree Of Heaven. You should try to get rid of the large female plants to reduce the spread. To destroy seeds, you can dig up or pull out any roots or seeds becuase if any are left, they will grow back. The most effective way of killing this plant, is to use herbicides. It is more simple to kill the ground portion yet to really damage or kill the plant, you must get to the root and prevent growth there.
Work Cited:
Swearingen, Jil M, and Phil Pannill. "Tree of Heaven." Plant Conservation
Alliance's alien plant working group. 27 June 2006. PCA. 12 Nov. 2008
<http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm>.